The State Compendium: Programs and Regulatory Activities Related to AFOs

A compilation of AFO-related state program and state initiative information intended to illustrate how states are regulating AFOs, with a specific focus on the use of permits or similar mechanisms. View the State Compendium regional map.
Document Type:Factsheets and Outreach MaterialsDate Published:
05/01/2002

The purpose of this Guide is to assist people who want to submit public comments on the proposed CAFO regulations. It identifies the major issues discussed in the proposal and summarizes how EPA has proposed to treat each issue in the revised regulations. It also cross-references the proposed language of the regulations and the pages of the preamble that contain the primary discussion of each issue.
Document Type:Factsheets and Outreach MaterialsDate Published:
05/31/2001

The purpose of these frequently asked questions (FAQs) is to quickly provide answers on specific questions about the CAFO Proposed Rule. These FAQs identify, in the form of questions, the major issues discussed in the proposal and numerous issues raised during a series of EPA-sponsored public outreach meetings, and provide brief answers for each question.
Document Type:Factsheets and Outreach MaterialsDate Published:
06/27/2001

EPA organized a series of public meetings around the country on the the Concentrated Animal Feed Operations (CAFO) proposed regulations.
Document Type:Factsheets and Outreach MaterialsDate Published:
02/08/2001

This document is a status update of the proposed revisions to the NPDES Regulations and Effluent Guidelines for CAFOs, as of 8/13/01.
Document Type:Factsheets and Outreach MaterialsDate Published:
08/13/2001

This document is a status update of the proposed revisions to the NPDES Regulations and Effluent Guidelines for CAFOs, as of 8/28/01. This status document includes a schedule of events through January 2003.
Document Type:Factsheets and Outreach MaterialsDate Published:
08/28/2001

This document is a reference source for owners and operators of animal feeding operations (AFOs) and concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs) to learn about the federal financial and technical assistance programs available to address environmental concerns. This document includes summaries of information from various sources describing the federal programs that provide grants and loans available to AFOs and CAFOs.
Document Type:Factsheets and Outreach MaterialsDate Published:
02/01/2005

EPA conducted nine public meetings on the proposed CAFO regulations. The purpose of the meetings were to enhance public understanding of the proposed regulations for CAFOs. The meetings were not a mechanism for submitting formal comments on the proposal. They involved a brief presentation by EPA officials on the proposed regulations followed by a question and answer session.
Document Type:Factsheets and Outreach MaterialsDate Published:
07/01/2001

Summarizes why EPA published the CAFO Final Rule, what the CAFO Final Rule regulates, how the CAFO Final Rule will help public health and the environment, and how much the CAFO Final Rule cost (EPA 821-F-03-003).
Document Type:Factsheets and Outreach MaterialsDate Published:
01/01/2003

In December 2002, EPA revised the Clean Water Act regulations for Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations, or CAFOs. If you own or operate a beef cattle or veal calf CAFO, you must apply for a permit. This pamphlet gives general information about what your permitting authority might require in your CAFO's permit.
Document Type:Factsheets and Outreach MaterialsDate Published:
12/15/2002

In December 2002, EPA revised the Clean Water Act regulations for Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations, or CAFOs. If you own or operate a chicken or turkey CAFO, you must apply for a permit. This pamphlet gives general information about what your permitting authority might require in your CAFO's permit.
Document Type:Factsheets and Outreach MaterialsDate Published:
12/15/2002

In December 2002, EPA revised the Clean Water Act regulations for Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations, or CAFOs. If you own or operate a dairy cattle or heifer CAFO, you must apply for a permit. This pamphlet gives general information about what your permitting authority might require in your CAFO's permit.
Document Type:Factsheets and Outreach MaterialsDate Published:
12/15/2002

In December 2002, EPA revised the Clean Water Act regulations for Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations, or CAFOs. If you own or Duck CAFO, you must apply for a permit. This pamphlet gives general information about what your permitting authority might require in your CAFO's permit.
Document Type:Factsheets and Outreach MaterialsDate Published:
12/15/2002

In December 2002, EPA revised the Clean Water Act regulations for Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations, or CAFOs. If you own or operate a horse or sheep CAFO, you must apply for a permit. This pamphlet gives general information about what your permitting authority might require in your CAFO's permit.
Document Type:Factsheets and Outreach MaterialsDate Published:
12/15/2002

In December 2002, EPA revised the Clean Water Act regulations for Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations, or CAFOs. This pamphlet explains the record-keeping and reporting requirements in the revised CAFO regulations.
Document Type:Factsheets and Outreach MaterialsDate Published:
12/15/2002

In December 2002, EPA revised the Clean Water Act regulations for Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations, or CAFOs. This pamphlet will help you understand how the revised CAFO regulations might affect your operation.
Document Type:Factsheets and Outreach MaterialsDate Published:
12/15/2002

In December 2002, EPA revised the Clean Water Act regulations for Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations, or CAFOs. If you own or operate a swine CAFO, you must apply for a permit. This pamphlet gives general information about what your permitting authority might require in your CAFO's permit.
Document Type:Factsheets and Outreach MaterialsDate Published:
12/15/2002

Describes how the CAFO Final Rule provides environmental progress, improves implementation of CAFO rules, and supports the following: rural partnerships, state flexibility, public accountability, and innovation and technology. Lastly, this information sheet describes how the CAFO Final Rule strikes a balance that is practical and effective.
Document Type:Factsheets and Outreach MaterialsDate Published:
12/15/2002

Spanish Version of CAFO Final Rule Brochure: What are the Federal Requirements for Chicken and Turkey CAFOs? (EPA 883-F-02-008)
Document Type:Factsheets and Outreach MaterialsDate Published:
02/12/2003

Spanish Version of CAFO Final Rule Brochure: What are the Federal Requirements for Dairy Cow and Heifer CAFOs? (EPA 833-F-02-009)
Document Type:Factsheets and Outreach MaterialsDate Published:
02/12/2003

Spanish Version of CAFO Final Rule Brochure: What are the Federal Requirements for Beef Cattle and Veal Calf CAFOs? (EPA 833-F-02-0010)
Document Type:Factsheets and Outreach MaterialsDate Published:
02/12/2003

Spanish Version of CAFO Final Rule Brochure: What are the Federal Record-Keeping and Reporting Requirements? (EPA 833-F-02-0013)
Document Type:Factsheets and Outreach MaterialsDate Published:
02/12/2003

CAFO Proposed Rule, Public Meeting Summaries

Paraphrased summaries of the issues raised at the public meetings.
Document Type:Factsheets and Outreach MaterialsDate Published:
08/01/2006

Memorandum assuring that any enforcement action taken pursuant to the Agency's strategy are consistent with respect to applying existing regulations governing CAFO's, which have been in effect for over 20 years, and which generally cover the largest animal feeding operations.
Document Type:Policy and Guidance DocumentsDate Published:
07/21/1998

Guidance to Region VIII on its strategy for issuing permits to CAFOs. Guidance refers the Region to the statutory requirements to implement both BAT and BPT.
Document Type:Policy and Guidance DocumentsDate Published:
12/15/1976

The purpose of this draft AFO Strategy is to provide a blueprint for a significant expansion of EPA's regulatory and voluntary efforts related to AFOs. The Agency's goal in this effort is to minimize environmental and public health impacts from AFOs. It is important to note that the Strategy emphasizes water quality because current data indicate that water is the natural resource most adversely affected by AFOs. EPA will continue to investigate the effects of AFOs on other media (e.g., air and soil quality), however.
Document Type:Policy and Guidance DocumentsDate Published:
03/01/1998

Information and guidance on the standard permit format for feedlot. The conditions developed reflect the Agency's stated position as contained in the promulgated guideline.
Document Type:Policy and Guidance DocumentsDate Published:
07/29/1974

Provides information to federal and state National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit writers on permitting requirements for concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs) under the current Federal regulations. The guidance replaces the Guide Manual on NPDES Regulations for Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations issued in 1995 and reflects changes that have taken place in the livestock industry.
Document Type:Policy and Guidance DocumentsDate Published:
09/21/2000

The Water Permits Division's Strategic Plan discusses the background of the Water Permits Division, their organization and resources, current implementation activities, and the Division's vision, mission, challenges, strategic issues, goals, and key actions from FY 2001 and beyond. EPA-833-R-01-001.
Document Type:Policy and Guidance DocumentsDate Published:
06/01/2001

Addresses two sets of circumstances for which EPA believes that the application of a pesticide to waters of the United States consistent with all relevant requirements of FIFRA does not constitute the discharge of a pollutant that requires a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit under the Clean Water Act. These two cases are (1) the application of pesticides directly to waters of the United States in order to control pests (for example mosquito larvae or aquatic weeds that are present in the water) and (2) the application of pesticides to control pests that are present over waters of the United States that result in a portion of the pesticide being deposited to water bodies (for example when insecticides are aerially applied to a forest canopy where water may be present below the canopy or when insecticides are applied over water for control of adult mosquitos).
Document Type:Policy and Guidance DocumentsDate Published:
07/11/2003

Signed by G. Tracy Mehan, III, Assistant Administrator for Water and Stephen Johnson, Assistant Administrator for Prevention, Pesticides and Toxic Substances that directed an EPA workgroup to compare the risk management/risk mitigation measures that have been adopted as a result of the FIFRA label relative to actions that would be required as a result of an NPDES permit. It also directed the group to identify any recommendations that could be made under either FIFRA/FQPA (Food Quality Protection Act) or CWA that would assist in better coordination, integration, and increased efficiencies between the programs and continued protection of the aquatic environment. These could include modifications in the pesticide registration process or changes in the approach to risk
management under the CWA and/or FIFRA.
Document Type:Policy and Guidance DocumentsDate Published:
07/11/2003

The Producers' Compliance Guide for CAFOs

Describes EPA's regulations for concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs). The Producers' Guide includes sections that describe EPA's CAFO regulations, who they affect, what they require, and what assistance is available. If you own or operate a CAFO, you can use this guide to figure out what you need to do to comply with the CAFO regulations.
Document Type:Policy and Guidance DocumentsDate Published:
11/01/2003

Provides information to NPDES permitting authorities, owners and operators of animal feeding operations, and the general public on how to implement the Clean Water Act CAFO regulations, including: 1) information to help permitting authorities ensure that NPDES permits conform to the CAFO regulations and 2) general information on Clean Water Act and NPDES requirements that EPA will consider when reviewing the adequacy of State NPDES permits for CAFOs. Customizable non-PDF versions in Word and WordPerfect format of the example forms in the appendices are available below.
Document Type:Policy and Guidance DocumentsDate Published:
12/31/2003

Provides answers to questions asked of EPA regarding implementation of the Clean Water Act NPDES and ELG regulations for CAFOs. Contains supplemental information to that provided in the NPDES Permit Writers' Guidance Manual and Example Permit for CAFOs.
Document Type:Policy and Guidance DocumentsDate Published:
12/31/2003

Pesticides; Draft Guidance on Labeling Statements on Products Used for Adult Mosquito Control; Notice of Availability

EPA is seeking public comment on this draft notice which provides guidance to registrants on EPA's policy on labeling statements for pesticide products used for wide-area applications to control adult mosquitoes. The specific label statements and label organization principles recommended in this draft notice are intended to improve existing labels by clarifying language conveying environmental hazards posed by these products, as well as specific use directions and instructions to the applicators. The Agency believes that adoption of these recommendations will help pesticide users and pesticide enforcement officials to achieve more effective mosquito control and protection of public health, while ensuring that use of these products will not pose unreasonable risks to the environment. Comments must be received on or before July 27, 2004. Click here to view this draft guidance.
Document Type:Policy and Guidance DocumentsDate Published:
04/28/2004

Technical guidance designed to supplement the NPDES Permit Writers' Guidance Manual and Example NPDES Permit for Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations. This guidance provides additional technical information for owners, operators, technical service providers, consultants, and permit authorities on how to carry out EPA's revised regulatory requirements for NPDES permitting of CAFOs. It also provides information on voluntary technologies and management practices that may both improve the production efficiency of
CAFOs and further protect the quality of the nation's waters. This document assumes that
readers have a basic understanding of the CAFO regulations (EPA-821-B-04-009).
Document Type:Policy and Guidance DocumentsDate Published:
12/01/2004

Interpretive Statement and Proposed Rule on the Application of Pesticides to Waters of the U.S. in Compliance with FIFRA

EPA is issuing this interpretation of the Clean Water Act (CWA) to address issues regarding coverage under the CWA of pesticides regulated under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) that are applied to or over, including near, waters of the United States. This Memorandum is issued to address the question of whether National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits under section 402 of the CWA are required for the applications of pesticides that comply with relevant requirements of FIFRA. EPA provided public notice of and solicited public comment on its interpretation of the CWA with regard to this question.
Document Type:Policy and Guidance DocumentsDate Published:
01/25/2005

This memo addresses the question of whether the NPDES permitting program under Section 402 of the Clean Water Act is applicable to water control facilities that merely convey or connect navigable waters. It states that Congress generally intended for water transfers to be subject to oversight by water resource management agencies and State non-NPDES authorities, rather than the NPDES permitting program. This memo also states that the Agency will initiate a rulemaking to this effect; the Water Transfer Final Rule codifies this memorandum and clarifies that NPDES permits are not needed for water transfers.
Document Type:Policy and Guidance DocumentsDate Published:
08/05/2005

This document contains opinions from the Office of General Counsel (OGC) and from other Regional Offices on the approach limit writing in regards to small CAFO.
Document Type:Policy and Guidance DocumentsDate Published:
12/15/1976

Livestock feeding facilities have been indentified as a significant source of water quality impairment. This document is intended as a resource to enhance the understanding of feedlot-related issues and will provide information to Regions/states as they develop feedlot strategies.
Document Type:Technical and Issue PapersDate Published:
09/01/1993

Unified National Strategy for Animal Feeding Operations Public Listening Sessions

As part of the EPA-U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) national unified strategy to minimize the water quality and public health impacts of AFOs, EPA is reviewing the Feedlots ELG and expects to revise the existing effluent guidelines covering AFOs. This overview addresses the methodology for estimating potential compliance costs for the swine and poultry (turkey, laying hen, and broiler) sectors of AFOs (EPA-821-R-01-018).
Document Type:Technical and Issue PapersDate Published:
01/01/2001

This report describes the methodology used to estimate engineering compliance costs (in
1997 dollars) associated with installing and operating the various technologies and practices that make up the seven regulatory options considered for beef and dairy operations (EPA-821-R-01-019).
Document Type:Technical and Issue PapersDate Published:
01/01/2001

Economic Analysis of the Proposed Revisions to the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Regulation and the Effluent Guidelines for Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations

Describes the financial impacts expected as a result of the proposed regulation. (EPA-821-R-01-001).
Document Type:Technical and Issue PapersDate Published:
01/01/2001

Environmental and Economic Benefit Analysis of Proposed Revisions to the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Regulation and the Effluent Guidelines for Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations

Describes the water quality improvements expected to occur as a result of the proposed regulation and the monetary value associated with those improvements (EPA-821-R-01-002).
Document Type:Technical and Issue PapersDate Published:
01/01/2001